Wednesday, September 30, 2009

While I may be eschewing trade shows (at least for the time being), I suddenly have the urge to go to New York...now that the fashion circus has taken down its tents....and head straight to the Gagosian Gallery. Until October 31st, on view are the dual exhibitions of my dreams: Sally Mann: Proud Flesh and Cy Twombly: Eight Sculptures. I'm not sure how this one escaped my radar, but when I discovered this bit of news this afternoon, I nearly swooned. Now all I need is a suitable companion to accompany me to this slice of art world Nirvana....

On an equally lustful note....

While I found most of the collections for Spring 2010 lacking, the exception may be Dolce & Gabbana RTW: an intoxicating masculine/feminine dichotomy...all mannish suits and extreme corsetry. I think the quote in WWD article sums it up nicely: "Romance is lovely, but romance with great sex is even better---who's to argue?" My sentiments exactly.

If you can't wait until Spring for your dose of pheromones, go take a peek at Dries Van Noten Fall Winter '09/10. It's perfection and seduction (the leather dress! the silk trench!) Oh, baby. Haven't had enough sexy fashion? Purple Diary (the official blog of Purple Fashion) will help satisfy your needs....

For something wonderfully "Top Drawer" (as opposed to "Underwear Drawer"), I found the most delightful blog. Whether it's ironic or just terribly earnest I can't tell; but, in honor of my blue-blooded Dad, the Harvard Man, and my best friend, the quintessential New Englander--Miss Kate of Nantucket: I give you "Unabashedly Prep". It's a paean to all things "Old School Tie". And forget about L.L. Bean. Maine's ultra-prep destination is surely here. Goodness....I suddenly have the urge for a Gin & Tonic...

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

I love this photo. Those are the sneaker-clad feet of Miss Margaret, my daughter, who is twelve. This past week included more daughter-time and less blogger-time. So....I do solemnly swear to post tomorrow in a more substantive manner...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I'm not in a particularly narrative vein today, so I'm just going to offer up a few disparate ideas for your perusal...

I've always loved creating with yarn and needles, but have never been enamored of knitting's dowdy image. This genius stroke of branding has helped revamp our ideas about who knits. These pictures make knitting not only cool, but sexy, too. Thank you, Terry Richardson.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Thanks to John Bielenberg (the force behind Project M, which I've mentioned before), I discovered this incredible festival---Pioneers of Change. Part of NY400, this brilliant event was brought to fruition by Renny Ramakers, co-founder and director of Droog Design. Full of thought-provoking content, presented in an arresting and elegant way, I guarantee that there's plenty of visual and intellectual material here to keep you riveted for hours. I couldn't possibly due justice to the festival's scope in one blog post, but I wanted to give you a taste of my favorite highlights. Each "house" is one of eleven former commanding officers' houses on Governor's Island transformed by Dutch designers.

House 8A: A reaction against society's obsession with speed. "Go Slow"

And my absolute favorite....House 17 featuring the work of the Dutch fashion collective "Painted". I read their mission and I was immediately smitten.

"Painted, led by Saskia van Drimmelen, Margreet Sweerts and Desiree Hammen, shows off schedule collections created by themselves and invited designers in league with Bulgarian artisans, all working on each garment sequentially. With a conviction that newness doesn't necessarily equal advancement, the collective embraces the handmade as opposed to the mass produced, creating personalized slow garments growing out of many hands in fellowship. Painted Series marries nearly forgotten techniques with sharply stylized couture in unique pieces, inventively preserving bygone skills."

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

....and all of us get back to business in earnest, I've been thinking a good deal about how I want "chelliswilson." to evolve as we go forward. I have so many plans---challenging me to be more creative, innovative, and energetic than ever (not to mention pushing the limits of what is traditionally considered the purview of a retail venture). I'm hopeful that I have enough inner "Pied Piper" to convince Portland (and all our friends out in the world) to come along for the ride. I found inspiration this week via the British publication "Monocle" which describes itself as "a global briefing covering international affairs, business, culture, and design." It's been added to my already unwieldy list of "must read" periodicals. For the sake of brevity, I'll just call the following "How to do Retail Right". This and this...such examples to follow!

But before we leave our summer vacations behind, I want to mention one more Maine destination that is particularly dear to my heart: the Leighton Gallery in (where else?) Blue Hill. For twenty-nine years, Judith Leighton has been celebrating artists in her beautifully renovated barn with its perfect sculpture garden. Enchanting and magical and not to be missed. I took this photo in May 2008. It had been raining (she provides guests with umbrellas!). So peaceful.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

This is the most extraordinary installation: "Lacrime del Pescatore" by Ingo Maurer. Presented at Spazio Krizia in April, "Tears of the Fisherman" (in English) is three nets, embedded with Swarovski crystals, suspended across a room. A dimmable light source is attached to a wall separately, and the entire piece is attached to a pendulum so it moves in a rhythmic way....it breathes. Just breathtaking.

He manages to be both profound and playful, respectively. See photos of "Egg Installation" and "Oh Man, It's a Ray!" here. "The Poet of Light".....to be sure.

Also wry. And political. No one but Maurer would come up with this to protest new European guidelines banning incandescent lightbulbs. Sigh. He may just be the perfect man...
Even more Maurer....this delightful snippet about his retrospective at the Cooper-Hewitt.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Thursday, September 3, 2009

I have had the most delightful and affirming day. And I have some wonderful women to thank. My day began with an email from Masami (whose lovely creations under the label "Cocon" have just arrived in the shop!), directing me to her blog. She had written such a warm and generous post about chelliswilson. (and about my darling Lisa of Le Bouton!)----I was so touched.

My second encounter should be preceeded by an announcement: ** Please come by tomorrow evening for our First Friday festivities! On view will be floral images (think of it as our "please don't let summer end!" show..)--- encaustics by photographer Shoshannah White and paintings bySara Lemieux. We'll be having Prosecco (which pretty much serves as the "house" libation) and orange cardamom madeleines, so bring your lust for beauty and your sweet tooth and come "wet your whistle"!! (as my father used to say...)** On to my second encounter....

I met Shoshannah for the first time this afternoon. She's warm and engaging and we chatted up a storm about people and interests in common. Not to mention her huge talent.

Later in the afternoon, Maria Vettese brought me copies of books from the "Lines & Shapes" series which, I'm excited to say, are now sold at chelliswilson. Maria should be known as "The Woman of Myriad Abilities"---an artist in the mediums of art direction, styling, photography, writing and letterpress printing! She co-curates "Lines & Shapes" (a book collective) and is half the talented duo (along with Stephanie Congdon Barnes) of "3191 Miles Apart" which consists of a website and two books: the first, "A Year of Mornings" published in 2008 by Princeton Architectural Press, and the second, "3191: Evenings" published by Other Books this October (also available here in the shop!). I've been a "fan" of Maria's for years and I am happy to report that she's thoroughly captivating and delicately elegant. And I embrace the opportunity to know her better!

I must also give a "Thank you" to Imke. That photograph....it's transcendent....I have no words.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Yesterday I waxed poetic about my magical encounter; and while I can't guarantee transporting swan sightings every time, here are some Wiscasset spots that are dependably delightful.

This is "Rock, Paper, Scissors" a shop devoted almost entirely to all things paper, owned and beautifully curated by the talented Erica Soule. In fact, her knowledge and interests are so varied that she has a second shop (completely different but equally wonderful) down the street called "Smitten".

Go here to marvel at the selection of antique French textiles (and rent an apartment in France from them while you're there!)

Now take your appetite to "Treats" for a vegetable terrine, an elegant sandwich, a giant cookie, or a special bottle of wine.